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70-mile drive to benefit Four Diamonds Fund

Organizer Heath Cross hopes more than 400 vehicles participate in the ride to Hagerstown, Md.

By SARAH FLEISCHMAN

The Evening Sun

Posted:
07/23/2013 03:02:50 PM EDT

Heath Cross, left, and Rich Sanner, right, stand with their bikes outside of Sanner's home in 2012 in Hanover. Sanner holds a photograph of Cross' daughter Brooklyn who died of leukemia almost three years ago. The God's Eye Ride for Kids, a 70-mile drive to Maryland, will be held in her memory July 27. (THE EVENING SUN -- FILE)

During the year Heath Cross' daughter Brooklyn was in treatment for her leukemia, he only spent 38 days at work. Cross was at the hospital with her as often as possible.

It's been almost three years after the disease claimed his 8-year-old's life, and he's trying to give back in a big way.

Cross expects 400 to 500 people to attend the second God's Eye Ride for the Kids, a 70-mile ride from Fairfield to Hagerstown, Md. Last year, the event raised $15,000 for the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore, which finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.

At the July 27 event, he hopes to raise $20,000 to $30,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that helps families of children with cancer make ends meet.

“It's about paying it forward, paying it back,” Cross said. “People helped me get through what I did.”

Many families whose children have cancer not only struggle to pay for treatment, but also for basic daily necessities, he said. Since parents spend so much time in the hospital with their child, they do not go to work, and cannot make house or car payments, and they buy much of their food from the hospital cafeteria.

Funds will be raised through the event registration, which will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, and is $15 for a driver and $10 for a passenger.

Motorcyclists are welcome to attend, as well as drivers of other vehicles. Cross hopes more than 400 vehicles will participate in the 70-mile drive to Cancun Cantina West in Hagerstown, Md.